The Massachusetts Constitution
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All four include an image, vocabulary, comprehension questions, a follow-up reading, and teacher guidance. These English PDFs have selectable text; use the reading below for adjustable text and listening tools.
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Words to know
- constitution
- a set of basic rules for a government
- rights
- freedoms and protections people are entitled to
- government
- the system that makes and carries out public decisions
Massachusetts adopted a constitution, a plan for government. John Adams was its main author. The document described rights and branches of government. It remains in use with amendments. Rights were not equally enjoyed by everyone.
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What happened? Point to a detail that supports your answer. What does the picture help you understand? What would you like to investigate next?
Follow-up: Elizabeth Freeman wins freedom
An enslaved woman known as Bett went to court with a man named Brom. They challenged their enslavement and won. Bett later used the name Elizabeth Freeman. Her action helped challenge slavery in Massachusetts.
How are the two events connected or different? Their order does not prove that one caused the other.
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Check the evidence
Research source for this event ↗
Christian David. CC BY-SA 4.0 Image source and rights ↗
Historical images, later portraits, reconstructions, and modern topic illustrations are identified in their captions. They are different kinds of evidence.
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